Pendant-mounted fluorescent-lighting system and fixture therefor



June 1965 N. H. EGLOWSTEIN PENDANT-MOUNTED FLUORESCENT-LIGHTING SYSTEM AND FIXTURE THEREFOR Filed April 8. 1963 INVENTOR Nathan HEglowsrem III 111,111

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,192,330 PENDANT-MUUNTED FLUGRESCENT-LIGHTING SYSTEM AND FIXTURE THEREFOR Nathan H. Eglowstein, Newark, NJ, assignor to General Lighting Products (30., Kcarny, Nah a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 271,207 5 Claims. (Cl. Mil-61.11)

- My invention relates to improvements in pendantmounted fluorescent-lighting systems and fixtures therefor, and more particularly to novel details of structure and arrangement or configuration to facilitate installation and to obtain by indirect lighting or reflection from a ceiling surface a high level of illumination without glare and without overheating.

Some fluorescent-lighting systems and fixtures wherein the source of light is a conventional type of fluorescent lamp, and which in this and one or more other respects are in the same general class as my improved system and fixture, are shown and described in Patents Nos. 2,305,- 722; 2,336,414; 2,543,713, 2,625,646; 2,932,728; and 2,951,147.

For the purpose of increasing the level of illumination I for a particular room, the practice heretofore has been to install a greater number of conventional lighting fixtures each of a relatively low level of illumination. While this practice serves the purpose in the way of increasing illumination of the room up to a recommended or desired level, it requires the installation of a greater number of the conventional fixtures than is necessary in the use of my improved fixture for the same level of illumination. Also, by using a high output or power groove lamp the level of illumination of the various fixtures of the prior art is increased, but this practice gives rise to problems of overheating, reference in this regard being made particularly to overheating of the associated power-supply unit or so-called ballast in the form of a standard type of transformer consisting of a winding on a laminated core. In some cases the extent of overheating of the ballast supplying one or more of the high output lamps which draw substantially more current than lamps of a lower wattage rating; is such that replacement of the ballast becomes necessary long before expiration of its guaranteed period of life.

For uniform lighting of large rooms and corridors the number andcombination or arrangement of the fixtures and the manner of mounting or installing the same are determined by the shape and size or cubic content of the room or corridor, the combination or arrangement being that of a number of the pendant-mounted fixtures disposed in a row in inline relation with respect to each other, in a rectangle or square, or in other arrangements or designs as shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,625,- 646. In handling and assembling the fixtures and associated parts of the prior art, for these different installations wherein each of the pendant-mounted fixtures might be about eight feet in length and might weigh about thirty pounds, a crew of two or more men is required to raise and properly position each fixture and then to make the necessary connections for securing or attaching the fixture to the hangers or other means for establishing the pendant mounting from the ceiling.

With the foregoing in mind, it is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improved pendant-mounted fluorescent-lighting system and fixture therefor which provide for the widest possible angle of light-distribution from the upper or top area or region of the fixture without glare as is the case in some of the systems and fixtures of the prior art because in the latter the lamp can be seen from the viewing angle below. By the novel conice struction and arrangement disclosed and claimed herein, my improved system functions to cause distribution of the reflected light from the ceiling to a pleasing brightness without glare, the light pattern covering the widest possible area with higher foot-candles and lower surface brightness reflected from the ceiling.

Another object herein resides in the structure and disposition or arrangement of a power-supply unit which,

without overheating, can supply the load current required by a high output lamp while, at the same time, functioning as the means by which the adjacent fixtures are pendant-mounted from the ceiling.

Another object herein resides in a novel feature of construction and arrangement, in a fluorescent-light fixture of substantial weight and length, whereby one man can raise and manipulate the fixture into its proper position and then establish a complete connection for attachment or fixation of the fixture to the pendant-mounting means therefor, all without the necessity for utilization of bolts and nuts or other parts, for this purpose.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention an embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings, wherein' FIG. 1 is a simplified view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing adjacent end portions of lamp housings for two of my improved fixtures supported in inline relation with respect to each other and pendant-mounted from the ceiling, and a power-supply unit disposed between the adjacent end walls of the fixtures and in inline relation with respect to the fixtures, some of the parts being removed for the sake of clearness and simplicity, and the section being taken on line 1-1 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 is a detail, elevational view of the end plate or end wall for the lamp housings, as seen looking toward the left in FIG. 1 and on the line or in the plane 22;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 in FIG. 1, showing the novel cross-sectional configuration of the lamp housing and also showing the disposition of the lamp at the top, or in the upper region or area of, the housing channel for obtaining the widest possible angle of lightdistribution toward the ceiling; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from FIG. 1 and showing more clearly the interlocking connection of an end plate or end wall of a lamp housing with adjacent structure of the pendant-mounted powersupply unit or ballast, thus establishing the pendantmounting of the fixture from the ceiling.

Illustration herein of the lamp sockets, the wiring or electrical connections, and such other parts well known and understood by those skilled in the art, has been omitted for the sakes of simplicity. With regard to these, reference can be made to the prior art such as one or more of the patents referred to above.

In FIG. 1 the reference numerals 10 and 10a designate, respectively, two identical fluorescent-light fixtures disposed or arranged in inline relation with respect to each other. The two end portions of each lamp housing are identical to each other. For this reason, in FIG. 1 only the fixture end portions which are adjacent to each other, in the inline relation shown, have been illustrated. From this it is to be observed and noted that the righthand end portion (not shown) of fixture 10 is identical to the righthand end portion of fixture 10a, and that the lefthand end portion (not shown) of fixture 10a is identical to the lefthand end portion of fixture 10. In the embodiment of my invention disclosed herein each of the fixtures 10 and 10a is about eight feet in length and is otherwise dimensioned and equipped to contain, accommodate and support a conventional type and size of fluorescent lamp.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fluorescent-lamp houswalls thereof.

(one will suffice for all of the same. ingly, will now be made to FIG. 2 which shows the structhe same as the lamp housing;

toward the ceiling represented at 18.

ceiling l8.

encaseo ing for fixture is open at the top thereof from end-toend of'the same and hasvertically disposed sidewalls 11 and 12 spaced with respect to each other a distance of the order ofsubstanti-ally twice the outside cross-sectiona1 dimension of the fluorescent lamp 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the respective upper parts ll and outwardly and away from eachother to give to these upper parts of the walls a maximum area of lighting for fixture 1d are disposed respectively at the two extreme ends of the latter to constitute respectively the end The socket-mounting end plate or end wall for the lefthand end portion of the lamp housing for fixture 1 3 is designated by the reference numeral 15, and the socket-mounting end plate or end Wall for the righthand end portion of the lamp housing for fixture ltia is designated by the reference numeral 15a. Since each of these end plates or end walls is identical in construction and function to each of the others, a description of Reference, accordtural details of the end plate or end wall 15a of 'the lamp housing for fixture lea, the side wall Illa of which corrcsponds to the side wall 11 of the lamp housing for fixture ill in comparing FIG. 2-with FIG. 3, it will be seen that in both size and cross-sectional configuration the socl:et-,

mounting end plate 15a in these respects is substantially The end plate 15a, along the side and bottom edges thereof, is welded to the adjacent edges of the side walls of the lamp housing for fixture 10a so that after assembly of the parts which may be stamped out of sheet metal, the housingstructure is very rigid, but relatively light.

The socket-mounting plate 15a at the top thereof is provided with an opening 16 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) and the socket-mounting plate 26, hereinafter dein FIGS. 1 and 4.- On account of this position or arrangement of-the lamp'sockets, the lamp 14 for fixture 10 which is identical in construction to the fixture Mn, is

supported, by the aforesaid end plates or end walls, in the housing of fixture 16 with the top surface 14 of the lamp disposed below but in close proximity to a plane, represented at 17, through the respective top edges ll" and 12" of the side walls 11 and 12, thus to obtain the widest possible angle of light-distribution from the lamp 14 It is important to note that this novel positioning or supporting of lamp 1d in the top area or top. region of the relatively narrow housing channel 19 with the outwardly flared upper parts 11 and 12' of the walls ill and 12; not only provides for the widest possible angle of light-distribution, but also causes the top edges 11 and 12" of the side walls to function to cut off direct glare'from lamp 14- in the direc- 7 tion laterally outwardly from the pendant-mounted fixture 19. Therefore, the lamp 14 cannot be seen from the viewing angle below.

An important aspect of my improved fluorescent-lighting system resides in the novel features of structure and arrangement whereby the power-supply unit or ballast is separately contained and isolatedfrom the light fixtures,

while at the same timeserving as the means for pendantmounting, both of the inline fixtures wand ltla from th In FIG. 1, the power-supply unit is designated generally by the reference numeral Ell, the horizontal cross-secl2' of walls 11 and 12 from end-to-end of the same flare 1 scribed, is provided with a'sirnilar opening (not shown in I tional shape or configuration of the same being square or rectangular, as might be desired for a particular installation or a part or section of the same. As shown in FIG. 1, this unit is disposed in inline relation with respect to the inline'fixtures 159 and El a, and between the adjacent end portions of the latter. Unit 2% comprises the ballast box 21 andthe ballast contained therein, the latter being a conventional or standard type of transformer represented at ZZ and consisting of a Winding on a laminated core. The ballast or transformer 22 is fixed to or is supported from the underside of the top 23 of box 21 by any suitable means such as, for example, bolts Ed.

in the installation as shown in FIG. 1 the socketmouuting end plate 15 of L6 lamp housing of fixture it) is flush against the adjacent, rectangular end plate or side 25 of the ballast box 2i, and the socket-mounting end plate 15a of the lamp housing of fixture lilo is flush against the adjacent, rectangular" end plate or side 26 of the ballast box. For thepurpose of reinforcement, the edges of the top 23 of the box 21 are bent upward at a right angle, as shown, and are welded or otherwise fitted with respect to the respective, adjacent, top edges of the end plates 25 and as of box 21, thus making these edges,

in effect, integral with each other. For example, the

effect an integral part of the latter and is so shown in FlG.-4. This construction provides for the vertically disposed and reinforced edge Eda which, for the purpose hereinafter explained, extends upwardly. a slight distance beyond the plane of the top 23 of the ballast Z1. 1

In the installation of my improved system, the powersupply units 716 are installed first, each being pendantmounted from the ceiling 18 by a hanger 27 in the form of a piece of tubingthrough which the required Wiring (not shown) passes for making the necessary electrical connections from the transformer or ballast 22 to the usual power-supply outlets (not shown) at the ceiling. The hanger or length of tubing 27 is fixed at its upper end to the ceiling 18 and at its lower or bottom. end is fixed with respect tothe power-supply or ballast unit Ztl, as shown in FIG. 1. The bottom end of hanger 27 is threaded and passes through an inverted U-sh aped bracket or part 28 welded or otherwise fixed with respect to the top 25 of the balast box 21. Two nuts 291 and 3% disposed respectively on opposite sides of bracket 28,,fix or connect the, unit 2% securely to this end of the hanger. A canopy 31 is held in place by a bushing 32 threaded on the hanger 27 at the top end thereof, and hides from view the ceih'ng bracket (not shown) by which the top end of the hanger is fixed to the ceiling structure. Details of the means such as V the respective brackets and associated parts for fixing the supply unit as, are to be found in the prior art such as Patents Nos. 2,336,414; 2,543,713; and 2,932,728 referred to above. Satisfactory results have been obtained by making the length of each of the hangers 27 such that 1 when the various parts and units are assembled and the V 1nstallat1on is complete, the distance vertically upward from any point along the top surface 14' of each of the lamps 14' to the ceiling 123 is substantially eighteen inches, and by using or employing dimensions and'configurations and relations of the same as shown in FiGS. 2 and 3 so structural feature at each extreme end of each of the light that the angle 69 of light-distribution toward the ceiling 18 is at least degrees. Arr-important aspect of my inventionresides in a novel fixtures ltiland Lilla, whereby either end of a light fixture embodyins thisparticular feature can be hung from or hooked onto an adiacent side or end plate of an associated power-supply unit such as unit 20. In this regard, reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 and 4.

The socket-mounting end plate or end wall 15a of the lamp housing for fixture a is along its top edge 33 bent outwardly and thence downwardly, thus to give to this edge an inverted U-shape cross-sectional configuration open sufficiently so that it can be easily and quickly hooked over or bring onto the vertically disposed edge 26a of the adjacent end plate or side 26 of the power-supply unit 20. As shown at the right in FIG. 1, the socket-mounting end plate or end wall of the lamp housing for fixture 10 is along its top edge 34 bent in the same manner so that at this extreme end thereof the fixture It can be easily hooked over or hung onto the vertically disposed top edge of the adjacent end plate or side of the ballast unit 26. The other two (not shown) of the four edges of the top 23 of box 21 might also be bent upwardly so that fixtures, each identical to the fixtures 1t and llfia, can be hung from these edges, in which case such additional fixtures would'be disposed perpendicular to or at right angles to the inline fixtures ill and Ella. If not already so when so hung or hooked onto unit 20, the fixture lila is adjusted sideways so that it is in position with holes 35 in plate 15a registered respectively with similar holes in plate 26 to receive bolts 36 which prevent accidental displacement or shifting of the fixture 10a with respect to unit 2i Bolts 37 serve the same purpose, ie, to fix the fixture 1d against any relative movement laterally with respect to unit 20.

It will be understood that the other ends (not shown) of fixtures 1t) and 10a are hooked or hung, respectively, onto the other pendant-mounted power-supply units or suitable parts each providing an edge such as the edge 26a shown in FIG. 4-.

As shown in FIG. 3, the respective bottom edges of the side walls 11 and 12 of the fixture it are bent inwardly at a right angle to support a suitable type of light-diffuser 38 which may be in the form of a translucent glass or plastic panel or, as shown, a louvered type of diffuser extending from end-to-end of the lamp housing and being functional to create a cooling current of air flowing upwardly through the diffuser and thence around the lamp 14, thereby adding to the lamp life and, in general, resulting in more efficient operation of the lamp than would otherwise be the case.

Sheet-metal strips 39 and 40, having the cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 3, extend end-to-end of the lamp housing and are welded or otherwise fixed to the side walls 11 and 12 over the right-angle bends at the bottom, thus to form wiring channels or ways 39 and 40 through which the cables or wires (not shown) are passed and employed to make the necessary electrical connections between the power-supply unit 20 and the lamp sockets referred to above.

From all the foregoing it is to be noted that in my improved system the ballasts do not have to be installed at points remotely located from the fixtures, but are assembled with the fixtures in close or direct association therewith, but still are isolated from each of the fixtures; the fixtures and the ballasts or power-supply units 20 being pendant-mounted from the celing. On account of this novel arrangement and manner of installation which have the combined advantages of pendant-mounting and of isolation of the ballasts from the lamp fixtures, there is the important result that although the load current might be relatively high should high-power lamps be used, the extent or rate of heat-radiation from the ballasts 22 is suiticiently high to insure a period of normal operation of the transformers at least equal to the guaranteed life of the same. Also, it will be appreciated that the novel structure shown more clearly in FIG. 4 is a labor-saving feature whereby it is possible for one man to lift and manipulate one of the fixtures and without difliculty establish with the pendant-mounted power-supply or ballast unit 26, the interlocking connections with the same, all as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The term or word extreme as used adjectively in the claims for specifying the exact and important location of the socket-mounting end plates or end walls 15, 15a of a lamp housing, is definitive of a necessary condition or arrangement or location in my improved system and fixture to obtain the desired operating action or effect, and the advantages as set forth above. It is, accordingly, intended that as used in the claims this term or word extreme be given the literal meaning or interpretation which is applicable and as given in The American College Dictionary, thus; farthest from the center or middle; outermost; endmost.

Although but one embodiment of my invention has been disclosed herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluorescent-lighting system pendant-mounted from a ceiling and including a fluorescent-light fixture and a power-supply unit disposed in inline relation with respect to each other, said fixture comprising a fluorescent-lamp housing open at the top thereof from end-to-end of the same and having vertically disposed side walls spaced with respect 0t each other to contain a light source in the form of a fluorescent lamp, the respective upper parts of sai walls from end-to-end of the same being flared outwardly and away from each other to result in a relatively large angle of light-distribution from said light source toward the ceiling, the pendan -mounting means for said system including a hanger fixed at its upper end to the ceiling and at its lower end fixed with respect to said unit, the end extreme of said housing adjacent to said unit being in the form of a socket-mounting plate flush against the adjacent side of said unit and along its top edge interlocked with the top edge of said adjacent side of said unit thus to support said end of said housing entirely from said powersupply unit.

2. In a fluorescent-light fixture to be pendant-mounted from a ceiling and wherein there is required for said fixture a power-supply unit structurally independent of and isolated from said fixture, a fluorescent-lamp housing open at the top thereof from end-to-end of the same and having vertically disposed side walls spaced with respect to each other to contain a light source in the form of a fluorescent lamp, the respective upper parts of said walls from endto-end of the same being flared outwardly and away from each other to result in a relatively large angle of lightdistribution from the pendant-mounted fixture toward the ceiling, and a socket-mounting plate forming part of said housing and disposed at an extreme end of the same for attachment to the aforesaid unit whereby said unit serves as the sole support of said end of said fixture for the pendant-mounting thereof and for obtaining the relatively wide angle of light-distribution as aforesaid, said socketmounting plate for the purpose of establishing such attachment being shaped and adapted to establish with adjacent structure of said unit and solely by manual manipulation of said fixture an interlocking connection with said adjacent structure of said unit.

3. In a fluorescent-light fixture to be pendant-mounted from a ceiling, a fluorescent-lamp housing and a fluorescent lamp supported therein in fixed relation with respect to the same, said housing being open at the top thereof from end-to-end of the same and having vertically disposed side walls spaced with respect to each other a distance of the order of substantially twice the outside cross-sectional dimension of said lamp, the respective upper parts of said walls from end-to-end of the same being flared outwardly and away from each other thus to give to the same a maximum area of light-reflecting surface and a maximum area of heat-radiating surface, and socket-mounting plates forming part of said housing and disposed respectively at the two extreme ends of the latter to constitute respectively the end walls thereof and each being in both size and crosssectional configuration substantially the same as the crosssectional size and configuration of said housing said lamp by said socket-mounting end plates being supported in said housing with'its top surface disposed below but in close proximity to a plane through the top edges of said Walls thus to obtainthe widest possible angle of light-distribution from said lamp toward the ceiling while at the same time cutting oil? by said top edges direct glare from said lamp in the direction laterally outwardly from the pendant-mounted fixture.

4. A fluorescent-lighting system pendant-mounted from power-supply unit disposed in inline relation with respect to each other, said fixture comprising a fluorescentdamp housing and a fluorescent lamp supported therein in fixed relation with respect to the same, said housing being open at the top thereof from end-to-end of the same and having vertically disposed side walls spaced with respect to each other a distance of the order of substantially twice the outside cross-sectional dimension of said lamp, the respective upper parts of said walls from end-to-end of the same being flared outwardly and away from each other thus to give to the same a maximum area of light-reflecting surl face and a maximum area of heat-radiating surface, and

lamp toward the ceiling while at'the same time cutting off a by said top edges direct glare from said lamp in the direction laterally outwardly from the pendant-mounted fixture, the pendant-mounting means for said system including a hanger fixed at its upper end to the ceiling and at-its lower end fixed with respect to said unit, that one of the aforesaid socket-mounting end plates of said housing adjacent to said unit being flush against the adjacent side of said unit and along its top edge being interlocked with the top edge of said adjacent side of said unit thus to support that end of said housing entirely from said powerasupply unit.

l0 a ceiling and including a fluorescent-light fixture and a,

5. In a fluorescent-light fixture to be pendant-mounted from a ceiling and wherein there is required for said fixture a power-supply unit structurally independent of and isolated from said fixture, a fluorescent-lamp housing and a fluorescent lamp supported therein in fixedrelation with respect to the same, said housing being open at the top thereof from end-to-end of the same and having vertically disposed side Walls spaced With respect to each other a distance of the order of substantially twice the outside cross-sectional dimension of said lamp, the respective upper parts of said walls from end-to-end ofthe same being flared outwardly and away from each other thus to give to the same a maximum area of light-reflecting surface and armaxirnum area of heat-radiating surface, and socketmounting platesforming part of said housing and disposed respectively at the two extreme ends of the latter to constitute respectively the end Walls thereof and each being in both size and cross-sectional configuration substantially the same as the cross-sectional size and configuration of said housing, said lamp by said socket-mounting end plates being supported in said housing with its top surface disposed below but in close proximity'to a plane'thr-ough the top edges of said walls thus to obtain the Widest possible angle of light-distribution from said lamp toward the ceiling while at the same time cutting off by said top edges direct glare from said lamp in the direction laterally outwardly from the pendant-mounted fixture, each or" said socket-mounting end plates for the purpose of supporting said fixture in inline relation with respect to said unit being shaped and adapted to establish with adjacent structure of said unit and solely by manual manipulation of said fixture an interlocking connection with said adjacent struc ture of said unit.

References tilted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,058

NORTON ANSHER, Primiary Examiner. 

1. A FLUORESCENT-LIGHTING SYSTEM PENDANT-MOUNTED FROM A CEILING AND INCLUDING A FLUORESCENT-LIGHT FIXTURE AND A POWER-SUPPLY UNIT DISPOSED IN INLINE RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, SAID FIXTURE COMPRISING A FLUORESCENT-LAMP HOUSING OPEN AT THE TOP THEREOF FROM END-TO-END OF THE SAME AND HAVING VERTICALLY DISPOSED SIDE WALLS SPACED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER TO CONTAIN A LIGHT SOURCE IN THE FORM OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP, THE RESPECTIVE UPPER PARTS OF SAID WALLS FROM END-TO-END OF THE SAME BEING FLARED OUTWARDLY AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER TO RESULT IN A RELATIVELY LARGE ANGLE OF LIGHT-DISTRIBUTION FROM SAID LIGHT SOURCE TOWARD THE CEILING, THE PENDANT-MOUNTING MEANS FOR SAID SYSTEM INCLUDING A HANGER FIXED AT ITS UPPER END TO THE CEILING AND AT ITS LOWER END FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID UNIT, THE END EXTREME OF SAID HOUSING ADJACENT TO SAID UNIT BEING IN THE FORM OF A SOCKET-MOUNTING PLATE FLUSH AGAINST THE ADJACENT SIDE OF SAID UNIT ALONG ITS TOP EDGE INTERLOCKED WITH THE TOP EDGE OF SAID ADJACENT SIDE OF SAID UNIT THUS TO SUPPORT SAID END OF SAID HOUSING ENTIRELY FROM SAID POWERSUPPLY UNIT. 